AN- Here is part 7, and as I suspected it definitely was the most challenging! It wasn't just the content, but creating the mood and emotions of the characters involved, Brennan in particular. As a result it is much longer than previous chapters. I am pleased with it though, and I hope you are too. Please, please review and let me know what you think. Just as a warning, I do touch upon issues of death, not in any great detail but it is there as a running theme. There should be 1 more chapter after this, but you can never tell, I'll let my fingers do the talking! As always...Enjoy. X
Disclaimer: No, still not mine.
God's Good Grace- Part 7
Andy sat in the cruiser, watching the others approach the farmhouse. There were no lights on, and it appeared to be empty. Although it was in total darkness, she felt even stronger than ever that Sam was in there. Somewhere. She wanted to go in with them, to be there and see for herself, to show Sam that she had not forgotten him, but Oliver had refused, not allowing any further discussion on the matter. Thankfully, the universe did not need to channel that idea through to him. At that point in time, they still did not know what the outcome would be, but they were certain should Andy see a dead Sam, she would never recover. They needed her to remember Sam as he was, to savour her memories of the days gone past and their stolen moments together. Oliver was a good soul, a kindred spirit and could always be relied on to do what was right. Always calm and in control, a natural born leader, albeit an unlikely one. He would be welcomed into their realm, when the time was right, but for now he was archangel on earth, guiding and advising.
Andy did not argue with Oliver, on some level she was relieved by his refusal, as she was frightened of what would await her should she enter. She knew it made sense for her to stay outside, her gut was telling her the same, but she didn't want Sam to feel abandoned, she knew only too well how that felt. Andy just hoped that he was alive, and that her presence would be enough to show him the true extent of her feelings. So she sat apprehensively, her eyes mesmerised by the beams of flashlights dancing through the window panes. It would be dark inside and difficult for them to see without it. She knew the procedure, she had been part of those several times before, and it was something Sam referred to as a 'two-pronged attack'. Some would enter the building from the back, some from the front, but the key was all entering at the same time. She watched the beams of their flashlights again. Steady and controlled. She knew they couldn't rush; it had to be deliberate and slow, methodically clearing one room at a time before moving on to the next.
Hurry! This way! This way! The universe walked along side the men, urging them to quicken their pace. They couldn't make them go any faster, no matter how hard they tried. These officers were dancing against the beat of their own drum that night, using their own tried and tested method. The negative relished in this slowness, it gave Brennan more time to deliver his worse, and to finish what the negative had started. The universe on the other hand was tense, sending positive thoughts and energy towards the back room where the captured lay in wait.
This Way! This Way! they said again. We still have one last card to play, they said with determination. It was not over yet.
Brennan had calmed down, and after a strong drink was ready to continue his mission. He had several pieces of equipment he liked to use when inflicting pain, and had a preferred pattern of usage. Normally, when one method stopped being effective (or when he became bored), he would simply move on to the next. Water was always first, usually followed by a hammer and then next a gun. That should get him talking; a couple of bullets in the kneecap would do the trick he thought. If not, then there was always the electric drill, blow torch, or his personal favourite, the electric saw.
Sam was given a short burst of energy, and was alerted by the sound of Brennan's returning footsteps. Brennan was holding a gun, but his focus was not quite there. In his mind Sam was still tied up, ready for him to inflict the next stage of his tortuous plan. He was not expecting him to be in the shadows waiting.
'I didn't wanna have to do this' Sam said, hitting Brennan hard in the abdomen with a shovel. He was taken by surprise and stumbled, allowing Sam to administer a kick sending his head crashing against the wall. Sam gave another kick to the face, followed by a second in which Brennan was able to grab the offending leg and knock Sam back onto the ground. Sam retaliated and sprung back to his feet instantly. He felt the sense of urgency in the situation, and his driving force was the hope of returning back to normality. He did not want to be here anymore, he had to escape, and knew this was his only chance. Brennan felt alive, the blood was pumping rapidly through his veins and he felt a sense of exhiliration. He gave a wild, almost demonic laugh, which made Sam slightly on edge. They both began to circle one another, sizing each other out ready for attack. Brennan had finally met an equal in both commitment and resolve, but more importantly love.
They started to spar; a jab, a duck, a kick, a punch, a hook with the elbow, so far an equal fought battle. There was no way to predict a winner at this stage, and both the positive and negative were on the edge of their seats. Whilst the negative jeered, hollered and hurled insults, the universe remained calm, sending prayers of love and reminding Sam what was waiting for him just outside, if he could break free. They were all there in full force, leaving the other pieces of the puzzle alone right now to fight their own internal battles. They would have to manage alone for now, as this was far too important and needed their full attention. They still held that last card to their chest, poised for use if the need arose, but they hoped it would not be necessary.
Both men fought some more. Sam managed to gain control, gripping Brennans arm tightly, snapping it back akwardly, and delivering several strong blows to his face. Each blow was accompanied by an unwelcome grunt from Brennan. It was close with control constantly switching from positive to negative at an alarming rate. Then suddenly things changed, Sam was becoming weak, and Brennan again had the upper hand. Brennan was choking Sam, his arms hooked tightly around his neck. Sam could feel the air leaving his body and the last of his resolve slipping away. The room was beginning to dim and he felt himself floating as if he were a leaf falling from a tree. Everything seemed to slow down, his breathing became more raspy, and it would seem this was how things would end for him.
Every action has a reaction. This was something the universe held as a core belief, and was the underpinning of their role. Right now, they needed Sam to react, to stay alert just a few minutes more. His family were only a few rooms away, edging closer to his rescue. Brennan heard their approach too and began to panic.
'Shut up, just shut up!' he hissed, squeezing Sam tighter, expelling the last remnants of breath from his lungs. The negative went feral, clapping and jumping in a crazed frenzy, urging Brennan to finish the job, and leave another large dose of misery behind.
The universe knew the time had come to play their last card, it was all they had left, and hoped to get the reaction they needed. It wasn't something they liked to do, revealing their secrets, but they conceded, making an allowance on this occasion. The universe liked to be a mystery, a thing which is not quite palpable but very much there none the less. They flourished in the blind faith of others, and found sheer joy in guiding others in making the right choices. They needed to keep him awake just that little bit longer; but he was slowly slipping away, entering their bright light.
No, No, No, they urged, willing him to turn away from the light and hold on. It wasn't his time to meet them yet, but his energy was beginning to fade. It was now or never.
'Sammy?' a familiar voice said.
Sam could see his mother, she was smiling at him. Dark curly hair and a twinkle in her warm brown eyes. The bright light did not hold his interest no more, he could not keep his eyes off her. She was really there. He wanted to say something, but the vice like grip Brennan had round his neck was preventing him from doing so. All he could manage was shallow breaths as his method of communicating his pleasure in seeing her.
'You know I love you Sammy right? Always,' she said.
Sam struggled once more, trying to break free of his grasp, but it proved futile. Sam tried to stretch out his hand to her, but he was weak, and she was too far out of reach. She smiled at him again, shaking her head. She wouldn't take his hand.
This was all the universe needed, and good was now in control again. The cavalry had arrived, with guns and flashlights in tow, edging closer to the two bodies grappling on the floor.
'Let him go Brennan, Let him go! Don't you move!' Oliver commanded, whilst the other approached him with caution. Brennan let Sam go, and once the air filled his lungs again, the light faded taking his mother with it. Sam briefly remained still, then stood quickly, with an expression that looked like relief, but was in actual fact sorrow and confusion.
Brennan lay on the floor panting, with a huge smile on his face, and turned to look at Sam. It was over. His face was bloody, his body ached, and he was in all probability going to jail for a very long time; but it had been a blast. The ridiculousness of it all kept the smile on his face, that J.D had somehow made him 'feel' again. From the night at the bar, the conversation in his apartment, their heated discussion in the farmhouse and of course that fight. The man he should hate right now had brought him back to life.
The universe contemplated Brennan's thoughts. He really was an intelligent and insightful man who just provided a striking depiction of recent events. He had a beautiful mind and a unique way of viewing things that was unfortunately wasted on him this lifetime. They had got to him too late this time around, but promised themselves, they would make things better for him next time. As he lay there with flashlights and guns pointing directly at him, looking up he saw 'Doreen', in a police uniform. And she still did it for him! He smiled, gave her a wink and softly chuckled some more. The situation was becoming even more ridiculous by the minute. The officers remained silent, but looked somewhat perturbed by his erratic behaviour. Brennan deduced if Sam was a cop, and Doreen was a cop, Candace was likely to be one too. How ironic he thought, the Toronto Police Department had single handily destroyed him and yet saved him at the same time.
Maggie would have liked his analysis of the situation, and would have spent hours discussing it with him as they lay in bed on freshly laundered white cotton sheets. Maggie always loved the feel of freshly laundered sheets, she said it made their lives clean. But it was not the sheets that made them clean, it was Maggie. Sweet Maggie. Brennan sighed.